Help Has Arrived - First Responders Risking Their Lives From Dallas

Details

Published: 22 August 2018

Hits: 5349

Dallas Fire-Rescue Is In California

The information in this article is provided by PIO Jason Evans, from Dallas Fire Rescue which was distributed to affiliate news channels early in August. Thank you so much Jason and for all you do for the City Of Dallas.

We want to tell you about something that took place over the past weekend that absolutely blew us away and why we have access to this information about Dallas Fire Rescue.

I always have tears when I see First Responders running into a fires, situations where shots are fired, emergency rooms & operating rooms, and all dangererous situations of any kind ...There is something so mystical and illuminating about a scenario like that. I am in awe of those who live their whole lives for others so we can have a better life, safety, and a better place to live. So I have to share this with all of you clients and friends in the iComEx Community.

Saturday my phone pinged me about a Facebook post from a family member onto my social media page. It was from my neice in Tyler, Tx. Low and behold I see a photograph of Dallas Fire Rescue Firefighters in an airport setting. Beautiful i thought, the picture and to my niece, an educator, a big thank you as she knows how we feel about First Responders. It was so sweet to send this to us. I was so overpowered at the site of these firefighters I just started crying. The impact of seeing it filled my heart with love and gratitude that I was beyond words right then really. As I prayed for all of them I thought people need to be reminded of the good deeds done by others on their behalf. So...I decided to post this article for our iComEx family community.

I realized in the post for me about the picture that these were first responders landing in California to help fight the still burning fires happening in the state. 97 Texas firefighters, representing 32 local fire departments, were deployed to Northern California to help with the wildfires. Those individuals will be staffing 31 pieces of heavy equipment, including 25 Engines, while on assignment.

Anese Cavanaugh, an educator and the person who sent my niece the photo, indicated that while she was waiting on her flight; she looked up and saw the site of some 97 firefighters walking beside her she too became overwhelmed and took out her camera and snapped the picture. Dallas Fire Rescue firefighters shirts are visable as they passed as you can see.

Let it be shouted to the heavens how much we love and care out these First Responders and them putting their lives on the line for everyone in California effected by the ongoing fires.

To Dallas Fire Rescue, the fire departments in Frisco, Lewisville and Little Elm as well as all who went to California from all over the State of Texas. We have you in our hearts, prayers, and thoughts everyday until all the fires are out. And beyond as you move through each day you are there for all of us.

Details: The State of California requested assistance from the State of Texas through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to aid in battling their wildfire outbreak in Carr. In response, the North Texas Branch of the Texas Department of Emergency Management, through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), is coordinating the deployment of a Strike Team, consisting of personnel and equipment from multiple area departments, to assist with the efforts.

As part of the team, which includes fire departments from Frisco, Lewisville and Little Elm, Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) will be sending two (2) Type III Brush Trucks, one (1) tactical tender and 11 firefighters to the area just north of Sacramento. Though there is no defined time for which assistance will be needed, the initial strike team is prepared to be in place for no longer than a 14-day deployment period. If resources are required beyond the initial response, a new team will be sent in relief, until assistance is on longer needed.

According to California Fire officials, the Carr fire began on Monday, July 23rd, after a tractor trailer tire blew, causing sparks from the rim to ignite the blaze. Since then, the fire has grown to consume a significant square mileage of land, destroy over 1,700 overall structures, to include almost 1,200 homes, and claim the lives of 6 people, including 2 firefighters. As of Monday, August 6th, the fire was reported to be only 43% contained.

“It’s for situations like this that these processes are put in place,” stated DFR Fire Chief, David Coatney, while talking about the deployment. “Local Mutual Aid agreements can be a nice convenience; but programs like EMAC are critical when our help is needed outside of State lines”, he added.

Overall Deployment: As part of this State-wide emergency management request, 97 Texas firefighters, representing 32 local fire departments, will deploy to Northern California to help with the wildfires. Those individuals will be staffing 31 pieces of heavy equipment, including 25 Engines, while on assignment.

About EMAC: Formed in 1993, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is the nation’s mutual aid system. EMAC enables states to share resources during natural and man-made disasters, including terrorism. Under EMAC, requests and deployment of resources are made at the discretion of the affected state.

About TIFMAS: The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) was established by the Texas Legislature, is maintained by the Texas A&M Forest Service and provides all-hazard response, with over 5,000 local firefighters. TIFMAS is supported by cities, counties and special purpose districts across the State. They have responded to every major disaster since 2008, and have deployed 51 strike teams to Texas wildfires in 2018.

Media: At 11:30 a.m., designated members from each department will make themselves available for sound (only DFR and Frisco are confirmed). Afterwards, photographers can get whatever b-roll they need for their coverage

Thanks again to Jason Evans at DFR for your kindness in providing this Press Release, and to Anese for sending the picture to me via my niece. It is very comforting that First Responders provide so much to all of us just by living their lives and doing their jobs. Well Done!

iComEx serves Dallas, Frisco, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Sherman, Denison, Pottsboro, and all points North and South of the Texoma border.